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More Revelation commentaries
Revelation 1:1-8
Jesus is coming again
Revelation 1:9-16
John sees seven golden candlesticks (Churches)
Revelation 1:17-20
Outline of the book of Revelation (v. 19)
Revelation 2:1-7
The Church that lost its first love
Revelation 2:8-11
The Persecuted Church
Revelation 2:12-17
The Compromising Church
Revelation 2:18-29
The Corrupt Church
Revelation 3:1-6
The Spiritually Dead Church
Revelation 3:7-13
The Faithful Church
Revelation 3:14-22
A Lukewarm Church
Revelation 4:1-11
Worship in Heaven
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The Compromising Church
Revelation 2:12–17
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Some years ago, musicians noted that errand boys in a certain part of London all whistled out of tune as they went about their work. It was talked about and someone suggested that it was because the bells of Westminster were slightly out of tune. Something had gone wrong with the … More
Pergamos was the capital of a Roman province located about 55 miles north of Smyrna and was known for its learning, science and especially medicine. Like Ephesus and Smyrna it was a wealthy city but was stooped in idolatry and was adverse to any Christian life and testimony. It claimed to have one of the finest libraries of that day and was the first place where parchment was used. Jesus emphasizes to the believers of Pergamos that he has the sharp double-edged sword to take care of the faithful (v. 12). The Lord commends the church for its steadfastness in the very center of Satan’s domination (v. 13). People worshiped the Greek gods in the temple in which the most prominent object was the writhed serpent. The Christians at Pergamos had been true to God under severe testing but had compromised their testimony in other ways which is mentioned next.
Tolerance of worldly morality and pagan doctrine was prevalent in the church. They were guilty of severe compromise by following the teaching of Balaam and the teaching of the Nicolaitans (vv. 14-15). Balaam had taught king Balak to sin through intermarriage with heathen women and through idol-worship (Num. 22:25; 31:15-16). Intermarriage with heathen women was a problem in Pergamos. The teaching of the Nicolaitans had reference to an unwarranted exaltation of the clergy. Christ sharply rebuked this church with a call to repentance and a warning of judgment (v.16). He then promised that there are rewards for repentance and faithful service (v. 17).
Application
I must not compromise but be faithful under internal as well as external pressure. My life needs to display my beliefs.
Revelation 2:12-17 (English Standard Version)
"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. "'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it."'
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